GLP1-RA medications were originally used for type 2 diabetes so have been used during Ramadan for many years. The same advice can be applied to those taking these medications for weight loss. Take it on the same day each week at roughly the same time. It can be taken with or without meals.

When considering fasting while on weight loss medication you have 3 options:
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• Pause the medication and be mindful. Recognise that Ramadan would only temporarily affect your weight loss efforts. Your journey to lose weight has to be part of your life for long term success so don’t worry about indulging yourself or taking a break from your medications during this important time to focus on what is important to you personally. As soon as Ramadan is over we’ll be around to support with a tailored restart now that you have already been on Semaglutide.

  • There have been studies that have shown a reduction in body fat stores following the period of fasting during Ramadan

• Continue medication and:

  • Don’t skip your pre-dawn meal and choose whole foods containing high amounts of fibre and protein (i.e.they have a low Glycaemic Index) as these will keep your sugar levels more stable and sustained during the fasting period

  • Watch out for any symptoms of low blood sugar and deal with them appropriately:

    • feeling hungry.
    • feeling dizzy.
    • feeling anxious or irritable.
    • feeling anxious or irritable.
    • feeling anxious or irritable.
    • tingling lips.
    • heart palpitations.
    • feeling tired or weak.

  • If this happens –  you may need to break your fast and you could consider decreasing the dose to a dose step lower

  • Be aware that fasting during the day might lead to a rebound hunger when breaking your fast. Your appetite control with Semaglutide should help avoid this and again when breaking your fast try and make healthy choices.

    • Having said that Iftar is a time of happiness to be shared with friends and family and you can treat yourself (a little!) .

  • As your routine is so different during Ramadan the impact on weight can be unpredictable but once you are back to your routine things will settle.

    • An example of this is the change in your sleep routine which could have an impact on your appetite so be mindful

  • As your routine is so different during Ramadan the impact on weight can be unpredictable but once you are back to your routine things will settle.

• It is recognised that illness is an exemption from fasting during Ramadan according to the Qur’an. Obesity is classified as a disease and if it has caused you to have other health related issues you could exempt yourself. This is a very personal decision though and it is suggested that you could discuss this if you felt comfortable with your Imam.

It’s important to know that Semaglutide isn’t a type of insulin, but instead it mimics a hormone that’s produced by your gut once you’ve eaten. Semaglutide helps many people to feel fuller and more satisfied for longer after eating smaller portions, ultimately resulting in eating less food and consuming fewer calories. In turn, this leads to weight loss when used alongside a healthy diet and lifestyle.

If deemed appropriate by one of our treating practitioners, our medication provided, is scientifically backed and research papers show that it is much more effective than other brands that are on the market. Furthermore, we only facilitate medications that are registered, authentic, NOT Compounded, and are dispensed by our partner pharmacies.

If a clinical decision is made to prescribe you a medication, the doctor will give you all the required information during your consultation, and throughout the program, you will have access to resources, documents and videos.

Extensive trials have taken place regarding medication that we offer on the program. Once, and if you are prescribed, then the team will assist you and be there to answer any questions raised. Clinical research papers are also available either online, or upon request from one of our team members.

Please follow the manufacturers guidelines for storage, alternatively if our clinician deems it appropriate to prescribe, then guidance is given.

As humans, we’re all different, so the amount of time that it takes to work can vary fromperson to person. However, most people do start seeing results in terms of weight losswithin the first few weeks of taking the injections – even before reaching the therapeuticdose of 1mg or above.

At Doctor Franks Australia, we offer a number of services, the flow is as per the below….
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• Patient looks at our website and decides if the program is a good fit for them
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• Patient completes an online questionnaire and submits, the algorithm built into our newly developed platform, will not allow you to proceed any further, if any of your answers would deem you unsuitable for our program.
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• Patient, the pays a $89 fee, and is given an appointment time and day, to have a thorough consultation with one of our Australian Registered Nurses, which will be conducted on a video platform.
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• If our Australian Registered Nurse, believes the patient is suitable for the program, the patient is advised that the next step is a doctor’s appointment.
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• The patient pays $189 for this next appointment, in which one of our specialist doctors, based here in Australia will contact the patient at the designated time and day, and complete the consultation. If the doctor deems it appropriate, then a prescription shall be prepared and sent to our partnered Australian based pharmacy, to dispense.
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• Our Medications, start at $489 per month, for a one month’s supply, and for ease and efficiency we dispense every 21 days, to allow time for dispensing, and delivery to the patient’s home prior to them needing their next dose.
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• If at any time during the process, the doctor deems you unsuitable to proceed with the program, and providing the patient has not given any false or misleading information all fees will be refunded in full to the patient.